Chile earthquake: Advice for tourists following Tsunami warning

Travellers to Chile, the western Americas and islands in the Pacific should pay attention to advice from local authorities and check a tsunami monitoring website in the wake of a 8.3 magnitude earthquake that has hit Chile.

The earthquake struck off the coast of the Coquimbo region of central Chile, approximately 250km north of Valparaiso, the colourful coastal town that is visited by many tourists. It was felt as far away as Buenos Aires in Argentina.

The Chilean government has since ordered an evacuation of the coastal region between Arica, on the northern border with Peru, and the Los Lagos region.

A tsunami warning was also issued in an attempt to avoid a repeat of a tsunami in 2010 that killed hundreds of people in Chile - but Chilean authorities have now lifted it across the whole country.

The Foreign Office extended its tsunami advice not just to tourists in Chile but also those in neighbouring South American countries and islands in the Pacific Ocean. But reports suggest it is likely that any waves in these areas will be small.

Buildings in the capital Santiago were shaken by the quake

In central Chile, the quake and heavy waves flooded coastal towns, damaged buildings and knocked out power. It also shook buildings in the capital city of Santiago, around 280 km (175 miles) south of the epicentre. Here, roads have been cut off and public transport cancelled between Santiago and the north.

On Easter Island, the enigmatic island popular with tourists in the Pacific Ocean, islanders were evacuated to a church in the only town of Hanga Roa.

As far away as New Zealand, authorities warned of "unusually strong currents" and urged residents in eastern coastal areas to stay out of the water and off beaches.

People stand and watch the ocean on Cerro Baron hill in Valparaiso city Photo: REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

The Foreign Office has warned Britons in Chile to follow local advice, including checking information released by the National Emergency Agency ONEMI via its website onemi.cl or on the Twitter feed @onemichile.

It also said that communications may be affected in seven of Chile’s central regions and that power outages may occur.

British tourists who are travelling through or ex-pats who need assistance should call the British Embassy number +56-2-23704100.

For Britons in Peru, Ecuador, Japan, Mexico, Fiji, Vanuatu, western America, the Marshall Islands, Tonga, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Pitcairn Island, Solomon Islands, Wallis and Futuna, and the British Antarctic Territory, the Foreign Office suggests monitoring the central Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre website, as well as local sources, for more detail about the possible timing and magnitude of a wave. It has told travellers, via advice on its website, to follow instructions issued by local authorities including any evacuation orders.